National Association of the Deaf Mental Health Position Paper

NAD President Andrew J. Lange announced that the National Association of the Deaf has released a new position statement on Mental Health Services for People Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

"This is a critical issue and the NAD is committed to improving mental health care service delivery systems for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The Board is grateful to all those who worked hard to develop this statement, particularly Randall R. Myers, Ph.D., LCSW-C, chair of the NAD Mental Health Committee," stated Lange.

NAMI's Office of Consumer Affairs has been working closely with Dr. Meyers, as has Phil Kirschner, a NAMI member living with mental illness who also serves on the NAD Mental Health Committtee.

"We will be sharing this position paper with mental health providers, consumers, and advocates throughout the country. The NAD is committed to working with mental health systems and service providers to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals," commented Myers. The statement was produced by the NAD Mental Health Committee in coordination with State Directors of Mental Health and NAD staff.

"This position paper is another step in ongoing efforts of the NAD to promote equal opportunity for full participation in society for each and every deaf and hard of hearing individual."